Guitar finally landed today and turned up but not before some drama I can tell you! The thing is immaculate...not a mark on it BUT here's the pro's and con's of buying gear from another country.

Make sure you take out GOOD insurance in case of any mishaps. This came via the United States Post Office (USPS) which I had THOUGHT was part of UPS but it isn't. All went well from Dallas to Chicago as I had a tracking number. Everything was going SWIMMINGLY until it reached COVENTRY! :tard: Coventry is where Parcel Farce's main warehouse (HUB) is and after the 29th there was NO more info on the tracking. At this point I didn't even KNOW WHO it was going to be couriered by at this end so the guy in Texas found out for me...by the way, Parcel Farce wasn't a misspelling...they are USELESS!

When I phoned on Friday, I got an uninterested individual who told me it was lost...this after having spent £800 on the item and postage! My Monday I was told it was in Oxford and they'd tried to deliver it...tho someone was in ALL DAY and no card or whatever left...this also BEFORE they could release it as I had to pay import duty and, believe it or not, VAT at 24%! So they basically lied to say I wasn't inEVEN tho there was no way they could release it WITHOUT my payment!

So...finally it's here and all is well BUT here's my advice on buying abroad:

1. Make sure you go with a shipper who will deal with the instrument at BOTH sides of the Atlantic. It cuts down the chance of mishap.

2. Expect to pay about 26% on top of the cost for VAT and import duty as well as handling fees.

3. Insurance is a MUST!

4. DON'T use Parcel Farce!

Total cost at the end of the day was £950 on a guitar costing £1699 new so there are bargains to be had while the pound is so strong against the dollar BUT be careful.

As for the guitar, plays like a dream and the neck is perfect which is why I buy Music Man. Pickups don't sound as raw as the EVH...more focused? I'm gonna record something on video later on when I get a chance. :thumb:

She is a beauty Chris I played on the same model couple of years ago at the factory when I got a vip tour from Sterling play's like a dream congrats.

Looks Cool !!!! There is a way around the import tax though. Your right about rest especially Parcel Farce. What a bunch of fuckwits !!! Its here now just enjoy it and rub yer groin !!!!

Yeah, Parcel Farce are live up to there name everytime unfortunately, and they aren't known for handling the parcels with care either, and i know quite a few horror storys too, glad to see your Y2D turn up safe and sound though.
Looks awesome i must say, and i'll look forward to hearing it even more, great stuff mate and congrats on the purchase :thumb:

Looks Cool !!!! There is a way around the import tax though. Your right about rest especially Parcel Farce. What a bunch of fuckwits !!! Its here now just enjoy it and rub yer groin !!!!

To be honest Geord, the Import Tax only comes out at 4% on guitars. It's the VAT at up to 24% which fecks it up. Plays like a dream tho and some great spankin' country like licks as well as sustain that I don't usually get out of my PODxt...like the beginning of 'Flyig In A Blue Dream' where you move aroundand the harmonic shifts up a 5th or whatever. Great fun! :thumb:

Yeah, Parcel Farce are live up to there name everytime unfortunately, and they aren't known for handling the parcels with care either, and i know quite a few horror storys too, glad to see your Y2D turn up safe and sound though.
Looks awesome i must say, and i'll look forward to hearing it even more, great stuff mate and congrats on the purchase :thumb:

I'm gonna do a bit with it now mate. :)

Here is the shop were it was made dude.:thumb:

Nice rack.:p

My word, she's a beauty !

Yep, Parcel Force have lost a couple of my things recently.

If I want anything sent that is of any importance nowadays, I'll pay the extra to send it Special Delivery, just so it is insured. But it goes separately to all the 1st class stuff so they have a better idea of where it is going.

I sent a couple of things recorded. Royal Mail still have no idea where they are. Rang the recipient up and they confirmed it had arrived. Would claim on it, but they suddenly get really good on postage and send a form to the recipient to see if they received it, so I wouldn't actually get anything back.

Currently got a claim on the other thing they lost, but as I only sent it Recorded rather than Special Delivery, I can only get £30 of the £100 it cost. Wise words - get good insurance.

Anyway, it's a beautiful guitar, I wish I had some spare dosh !

:rant:

Here is the shop were it was made dude.:thumb:

Cool! I've been really impressed with the Ernie Ball communityon line. The staff really go out of their way to answer any questions and they show the Ball Family Reserve stuff off and tell you where it's going in the world if you should want to buy it. Not every manufacturer is as helpfl. Great pics BTW. :thumb:

Gorgeous guitar, Chris. Can't wait to hear it. I wish I had the guts to take the plunge on something of that value on eBay. I have to get rid of some of my junk before I can buy anymore though.

Cool! I've been really impressed with the Ernie Ball communityon line. The staff really go out of their way to answer any questions and they show the Ball Family Reserve stuff off and tell you where it's going in the world if you should want to buy it. Not every manufacturer is as helpfl. Great pics BTW. :thumb:

Hay thanks ive got a bunch of them showing them building them from the ground up pretty cool man and thay are just like family their each guitar is special and is treated as such it's a great place thay don't cut corners and quality control is through the roof I love that place and Sterling is a really nice guy take care .:thumb:

Aye !! I missed the etc LOL. Just PMd
To be honest Geord, the Import Tax only comes out at 4% on guitars. It's the VAT at up to 24% which fecks it up. Plays like a dream tho and some great spankin' country like licks as well as sustain that I don't usually get out of my PODxt...like the beginning of 'Flyig In A Blue Dream' where you move aroundand the harmonic shifts up a 5th or whatever. Great fun! :thumb:

Just PMd

Oh aye! Does this mean the hatchets are well and truly buried now lads?
I hope so! Life's too fuckin' short! Besides I for one wouldn't mind hearing you two geniuses doing something together again :thumb:

Gorgeous guitar, Chris. Can't wait to hear it. I wish I had the guts to take the plunge on something of that value on eBay. I have to get rid of some of my junk before I can buy anymore though.

Just make sure the person you're dealing with has good feedback. I sold an Ibanez to a turd with 2 feedback replies...both for car tyres! I should have guessed that he would renage on the deal and not turn up. Then I left feedback saying as such and he put a shit reply up. So 170 odd great transactions, 1 turd and he ruins your 100% record. However, at the Ernie Ball forum are threads for buying Musicman stuff. I JUST missed out on a similar one (but gay colour!) in Birmingham for £850. If you're buying collectable stuff, you have to look far and wide matey.

Oh aye! Does this mean the hatchets are well and truly buried now lads?
I hope so! Life's too fuckin' short! Besides I for one wouldn't mind hearing you two geniuses doing something together again :thumb:

Aye, life IS too short...I can't hold any grudges for too long cos it eats at you and that's not a good feeling. Who knows?

Oh and mind you throwing the word genius around like toffee! If I was, I would have retired to some huge pile with 30 Platinum discs and 300 Les Pauls from the 50's! Instead I live in hope that one day fat, old and dodgy batsrads will be the apple of every teenagers eye who has money to burn!

Oh and mind you throwing the word genius around like toffee! If I was, I would have retired to some huge pile with 30 Platinum discs and 300 Les Pauls from the 50's! Instead I live in hope that one day fat, old and dodgy batsrads will be the apple of every teenagers eye who has money to burn!

Ahhshutthefuckupwhincingyouarse! Wot are batsrads mate? :D

everybody knows that batsrads are Russian bats and that I have Altzheimers or Strongbow!

everybody knows that batsrads are Russian bats and that I have Altzheimers or Strongbow!
Quality :thumb: :lol:

oh shit! I've just looked at the clock, work in 6 and a half hours. :upset:

daaamn!!! Is that REAL? I dont know how would it be to own a guitar like that...what would i feel if i have THAT monster! Congrats Chris!!:bowdown:

daaamn!!! Is that REAL? I dont know how would it be to own a guitar like that...what would i feel if i have THAT monster! Congrats Chris!!:bowdown:


Yeah, it's a real nice guitar mate but that Jem you just bought was a good steal. :thumb: